Son: Police have failed us over dad’s murder
ABRITISH Army soldier whose dad was murdered in a driveby shooting says: “Police have failed my family.”
Lance Corporal Jason Spence, from Kingstanding, is demanding answers following the unsolved, point-blank range killing of his father Jason Spence senior more than 16 years ago.
Son Jason, who was 14 when his dad was shot dead outside the New Bell pub in Great Barr, claims police officers working on the case back in 2002 “didn’t bother their arse”.
“Police found casings from rounds that were fired at the scene on that night,” claimed the 30-year-old, who has been granted leave from the Royal Anglian Regiment to support his family.
“The casings of the bullets have batch, serial numbers. Why couldn’t they trace where the casings were made; where they was sold and who to?
”Witnesses said they’d come forward. I’ve read through the statements yet nothing has been done or followed up.
“Not only that but the gun that was fired would have left gun powder, gun residue on clothing, in fingernails and on the burnt-out car that was found in Coventry.
“The two men who were initially arrested didn’t have their DNA taken. I’ve seen the report. It’s 50 pages long, it’s not good enough.
“Police have failed my family. They didn’t bother their arse back then and, only now, has the case properly reopened. There’s a new, handpicked homicide team in Harborne who have fresh eyes on it.”
Dad-of-three Jason Spence senior was an active member of the National Front prior to his unlawful killing, aged 31. On the evening of Wednesday, November 13, 2002, two white men described as being aged either 27 or 28 pulled up outside Cardington Avenue in a distinctive Mitsubishi Gallant, which was stolen previously from the Coventry area.
The driver had brown hair with a moustache while the passenger was described as being around 5ft 6in who had blonde, gingerish hair and his complexion was described as pock-marked.
The man who pulled has never been found.
“I remember the night, I’ll never, ever forget it,” explained son Jason. “I answered the phone at home, we were having a bonfire night.
“I passed (the phone) onto my dad who went to collect his mate from the pub.
“About an hour later, that’s when someone called my mum to tell he what had happened.
“I’ll never forget the way she screamed, that’ll stay with me forever.” the trigger
Son Jason and his family – sisters Tammy, 22, Cherree, 27, and mum Jacqui, 48, – are seeking closure as the cold case into the murder of their devoted father and husband nears a second decade.
“Still now I can’t focus,” added Jason, who has been on leave from the Army since the summer. “I’ve got eight lads on my section and it’s not fair if my mind is elsewhere, I’d be putting lives at risk.
“I’ve been robbed of my dad, a man who loved his country and who would have been so proud of me.
“I was 14 when he died and we just started having the banter together. He’d take us all up Sutton Park and down the Villa. I miss him every day.
“It’s hard being the only man of the house. I’ve got two sisters so I’m trying to be both a father figure and a brother figure.
“I’ve missed out on a massive part of my childhood and my life, not being able to tell him things and get his point of view. Just the little things.”
Meanwhile, and in a direct appeal for information, son Jason had the following message to people who may know what happened outside the New Bell pub 16 years ago on November 13.
“There is people out there who know what went on, “he said. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it. People know. A lot of people know more than they’re letting on.
“And, in my mind now, with it being the 16th anniversary and what’s got to me more, is this time next year I’m going to outlive my old man.
“I’ll be older than my dad and that’s the hardest thing to deal with.”
Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas is part of the new homicide review team put in place to find the gunman who shot and killed Jason Spence.
Speaking previously, he said: “I believe there are people in the community who know something.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.